Combined projector and catcher with separable retaining elements



Sept. 16, 1969 A. s. H. KREISS 3,467,331

COMBINED PROJECTOR AND CATCHER WITH SEPARABLE RETAINING ELEMENTS Filed Sept. 11, 1967 INVIENTOR. ADOLF s. H. KREISS United States Patent 3,467,381 COMBINED PROJECTOR AND CATCHER WITH SEPARABLE RETAINING ELEMENTS Adolf G. H. Kreiss, 4706 Mountain View Drive, San Diego, Calif. 92116 Filed Sept. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 666,646 Int. Cl. A63b 65/12 US. Cl. 273-96 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus comprises an elastic expansion type hand held exerciser, incorporating in its central portion a cup in which a playing piece is held, the cup having a trap which retains the playing piece when the apparatus is relaxed and the trap being opened when the apparatus is extended, allowing the playing piece to be thrown up and caught again in the cup in time with the expanding and relaxing action of the exercise.

Background of the invention Summary of the invention The present invention relates to exercise apparatus and specifically to a combined exercise and game apparatus.

The apparatus described herein is a hand held elastic expansion unit, having at its center a cup in which a playing piece, such as a ball, is held. Across the top of the cup are elastic retaining members which trap the playing piece in the cup. The elastic tension members, which provide the resistance for the exercise, are connected to the retaining members, so that expansion of the apparatus opens the trap and allows the playing piece to escape. In the normal action of the apparatus, the sudden expansion of the tension members from a relaxed position will impart an upward motion to the cup, causing the playing piece to be thrown out. The playing piece must then be caught in the cup before the apparatus is relaxed and the trap closed. The game of skill involved in throwing and catching the playing piece adds considerable enjoyment to the exercise.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view thereof showing the action of the trap;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, showing the trap fully open;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of an alternative form of the cup unit.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawing.

Description of the preferred embodiments The basic form of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1-4 comprises a generally ovoid cup with a rigid upper rim portion 12 having an inwardly turned flange 14. On

opposite sides of cup 10 in the rim portion 12 are openings 16, from which tubular sleeves 18 extend in opposed coaxial relation. Sleeves 18 provide stability and alignment for the unit in use and their length is not critical. The cup is shown as a unitary structure of molded plastic, but could be of metal or other suitable material and could be built up from individual parts of various materials.

Extending across the center of the cup immediately below flange 14 and perpendicular to the axis of openings 16, are two elastic retaining members 20 in close parallel relation. Secured to the center of each retaining member 20 is one end of a linear elastic tension member 22, which passes through and is slidable in one sleeve 18. The length of tension members 22 would be adjusted to suit the users range of arm motion and there would be some portiton of the tension members extending beyond the sleeves 18 in the relaxed position, so that retaining members 20 are not pulled apart until tension is applied. Using elastic cord as shown, the retaining members 20 are conveniently made in two portions, each being threaded through closely spaced holes 24 in rim portion 12 in a generally U-shaped configuration to provide the two parallel elements across half of the cup. The inner ends of retaining members 20 are then secured to tension members 22 by binding 26, or similar clamp means. If springs or other resilient or elastic elements are used, the attachments may vary but the general configuration will be as illustrated in order to obtain the required action. A hand grip 28 is attached to the outer end of each tension member 22, the grip shown and its attachment being an example of a suitable arrangement. Any convenient type of gripping means may be used.

A simplified form of the structure, shown in FIGURE 5, has a cup 30 of woven material such as cloth or net, reinforced by an upper ring forming the rim portion 32. The retaining members 20 are secured across the rim portion 32 substantially diametrically and tension members 22 extend through opposed openings 34 in the rim portion perpendicular to the retaining members. A simple bar type hand grip 36 is shown on one tension member 22 as an example.

With either form of structure the playing piece is preferably a ball 40, but could be of some other type. The ball rests in the cup and is too large to escape between the elastic elements and the rim. This arrangement ensures that the ball will be retained in storage, or when handling the apparatus.

The apparatus is normally held by the hand grips with the arms extended in front of the body, the hand grips being alternately pulled apart to stretch the tension members 22 and then relaxed. In the relaxed position the ball 40 will be held in place in the cup. When the tension members 22 are stretched, the retaining members 20 are pulled apart into a generally diamond shaped configuration, as shown in the partially open position in broken line in FIGURE 2. This leaves a large enough opening for the ball 40 to be thrown upwardly out of the cup by jerking the apparatus. In the normal action there will be a natural upward motion of the cup as the tension members move from their relaxed and slack position to the stretched and tight position. This can be assisted by the user to throw the ball as high as necessary. While holding the tension on the apparatus, the ball is caught in the cup and the elastic members are relaxed to trap the ball. The user is thus required to maintain tension for a certain period at each pull in order to recapture the ball, and the efiect of the exercise is increased. In the configuration of FIGURES 1-4, it should be noted that suflicient pull on the tension members 22 will pull retaining members 20 completely under flange 14, as in FIGURE 4, so that the elastic members do not obstruct movement of the ball in any way.

To add to the game of skill involved two players could take part, using one playing piece or two and passing the piece to each other while exercising.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. Exercise and game apparatus, comprising:

a hollow cup element having a substantially rigid upper rim portion;

said rim portion having a pair of opposed coaxial openings therein;

a pair of elastic retaining members extending across the upper portion of said cup in close parallel relation substantially perpendicular to the axis of said openings;

a pair of linear tension members each passing through one of said openings and each being secured to the closer one of said retaining members intermediate its ends;

hand grip means attached to the outer ends of said tension members;

and a playing piece, of a size to be normally trapped in said cup element by said retaining members and being free to emerge from the cup when said retaining 4 members are separated by pulling on said tension members.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said tension members are elastic.

3. The structure of claim 1 and including sleeves extending from said openings on opposite sides of said cup, said tension members passing through said sleeves.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein saidrim portion has an inwardly turned flange, under which said retaining elements are pulled when fully separated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,170,948 2/ 1916 Achershaug 273-96 2,201,802 5/ 1940 Steiner 273-96 2,224,453 12/ 1940 Hansen 27396 3,080,850 3/1963 Schrougham 27396 FOREIGN PATENTS 567,117 12/ 1923 France.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

